Role of
GIS in Disaster
A Geographic
Information System (GIS) or Geographical
Information System is any system that integrates, captures, stores,
analyzes shares, manages, and displays
data that is linked to location and known as geographic data. GIS merges computer program
with geo-referenced and cartographic information, resulting in digital maps and
databases with fundamental applications in areas such as natural resource
management, ecosystem conservation, environmental studies, utility management,
infrastructures and transportation planning, town and regional planning,
municipal government and also commercial applications.
GIS plays an important role in giving awareness about disaster
and taking safety measurements. e.g.
Before disaster
·
Observing the area through satellite
·
Studying the nature of soil or other characters
·
Comparing with old remains
·
Studying the weather of the area
·
Natural effects on the area such as weather,
glacier etc
After having above observations, if the area is risk full then
it is important to move the people of the area to safe areas. After disaster
there will be many other tasks for
Geographic information system.
After disaster
·
Searching for a safe area for IDPS
·
Planning for the construction of shelters for IDPs
·
Who need and where is the help
·
Traffic planning for rescue mobiles
Above points are the ways to face a disaster in an
appropriate way. During the disaster of attabad we faced deficiency of GIS
experts due to which first a big disaster happened and after disaster some
serious causality occurred because rescue mobiles reached after long time, then
another problem we faced was a safe area to move the IDPs to the safe area
which we need.
Now focus Pakistan have
the experts of geographic information system and I think it will give awareness
about other disaster expected areas and
safety measurements for preserving humanity from serious problems.
